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diseased choisia

annewalmsley2017X4yXOrmdannewalmsley2017X4yXOrmd Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi, I have a Choisia bush which has been in the garden for about 10 years and very happy. This year however  about 75% of the leaves have fallen off leaving the stems and branches bare and covered in a white powdery effect, as the wood is dead i have cut them off but its getting worse. I now have about 1/3 of the bush left. Does anyone know what's going on with it. Any suggestions would be helpful
Thanks
Anne 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Difficult without seeing it, but if it's anything like most of the ones round here, they  struggled to thrive in the very cold winter. They often don't cope with very cold temps over a sustained period, especially the gold ones, and if it's below minus 7 or 8, or beyond, for a while, they struggle very badly. 
    Cutting back the dead branches to some new growth is usually fine, as long as it's done after all frosts are over. Keeping it well watered during dry spells is ideal too. Some fresh compost and slow release food round it's base should help too, but don't be tempted to feed any more than that until it recovers. 
    They usually come back once growing conditions improve, but if it has no new growth in another month or so, it may have been too far gone. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • annewalmsley2017X4yXOrmdannewalmsley2017X4yXOrmd Posts: 2
    Thanks fairygirl i will try feeding. As you say it more than likely was this cold windy winter I am open to the elements at the back if the house.
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